Varsity Sextet to Face Improved Providence College Team Tonight

Last year the varsity hockey team rolled up the largest score of the season, 10 to 1, against a weak and inexperienced Providence College sextet. The Crimson is not likely to repeat tonight, for the Friar team that faces the varsity at 7 p.m. in the Garden has already established itself as a coming New England hockey power.

The Friars upset Brown last Monday, 5 to 2, and lost to powerful Boston College by a slight 4-2 margin. The last Eagle goal was scored in the final minute of play, when Providence had taken out the goalie to press with a six-man attack.

Arena Tourney

After the game, the new Watson rink will be available for a solid week of practice in preparation for the Arena tourney on Dec. 27, 28, and 29, when the varsity will face St. Lawrence, McGill, and Boston College on successive nights. St. Lawrence beat Yale, 6 to 2, recently, and the Eagles barely managed to defeat the Crimson in their first encounter, by a score of 4 to 3.

Coach Cooney Weiland has shuffled his first two lines for tonight's game, moving Captain Scott Cooledge to right wing on a line with Bill Cleary and Ned Bliss. Cooledge takes the place of sophomore Terry O'Malley, who will play with Frank Mahoney and Joe Crchore on the second line.

The two defensive pairs will remain the same as in the Boston University game, when Weiland moved converted forward Art Noyes up with Doug Manchester on the starting defense and teamed Pete Summers with veteran Ned Almy.

Frye to Center

One again five men will alternate on the third line as Weiland to find a combination that will give him the depth needed to win in the Arona tourney. Peto Frye will center for two sets of wings, Dick Allen, Albio Wells, Derok Nicholas, and Tom Worthen.

Although St. Lawrence and McGill are largely unknown quantities in the tourney, Boston College will probably be tougher to beat than they were last time. As of last week the predominantly sophomore Eagle sextet had no smooth passing attack, a rare deficiency in teams coached by Snooks Kelley. B.C. should develop playmaking ability as the season progresses and should therefore become tougher to beat with each game.

The varsity has been somewhat handicapped by lack of practice time during the past two weeks because of the delay in the completion of the roof on the Watson rink